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2012 BMW 335i: Drive review

February 16, 2012

The BMW 3-series is fitted with a 300-hp inline six-cylinder. Photo by BMW

What is it?

BMW’s 335i carries over the twin-scroll turbocharged, 300-hp inline six-cylinder engine into the latest F30 architecture. In this generation, the car is equipped with auto stop/start to shut off and restart the engine at stoplights, and with the driving-dynamics control system. The latter provides a switch to vary engine and chassis performance through four levels called EcoPro, comfort, sport and sport-plus.

EcoPro operates everything in miser mode, trimming air-conditioner compressor and other energy-absorbing systems’ cycles, and inhibiting throttle response and turbo operation to optimize fuel mileage. A blue display shows the driver how many miles are added to the tank’s range in this mode.

Now longer by 3.7 inches, with a wheelbase stretched by 1.96 inches, the car’s track is also wider by 1.5 inches and 1.8 inches front and rear, respectively. BMW claims improvements in interior space, and there are modest increases in rear legroom and headroom (0.5 inch and 0.2 inch), but the rear seat is still comparatively small for large passengers.

Among the many options on offer with the new sixth-generation 3-series cars is the choice of three trim atmospheres: Luxury line, Modern line and Sport line, each providing specific interior and exterior design elements.

What is it like to drive?

If anything, the new F30-series cars are more predictable and stable on the road than their predecessors, with surgical steering accuracy and a chassis that somehow combines responsiveness and predictable stability.

The company claims the car will sprint to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, and we won’t dispute that. When you add the husky character of the engine to well-staged gear ratios and the all-new chassis, it’s exceedingly hard to keep speeds near the legal limits. The new 335i feels that well planted.

Do I want it?

As long as you have no issues with the new face of the 3-series, it is clearly a better car than the previous edition. Even the adoption of electromechanical steering assist has done little to diminish driving pleasure in this reinvented sports sedan. There is technology aplenty, but the driver access to it seems better integrated, and it is friendlier in nature.

That partly justifies the basic MSRP of $43,295. Still, it’s a steep price to pay, and that figure does not include any of the pricier options. The new 335i is undeniably a desirable car, but it seems to be creeping inexorably out of reach for most of us.